Faroe Islands strives to become a hub

The Faroese government has a strategy to make the Faroe Islands a maritime hub in the North Atlantic. The Faroe Islands will be marketed as a kind of service hub for all types of ships with particular focus on offshore vessels.

"The Faroe Islands have long been a kind of pit stop. Ships from Russia and many other countries have been using the Faroe Islands for a number of years while waiting for loading of fish from the North Atlantic. For years, Russian ships have been repaired in Faroese yards and bought other services," says Tommy Petersen, senior adviser to the Faroese Foreign and Trade Ministry to Sysla Maritime.

The Faroe Islands have invested billions in improving the island's infrastructure, so several of the ports today can offer goods and services to foreign vessels.

"We have unique expertise in all branches of maritime transport and shipping," says Tommy Petersen, and continues: Faroese officers occupy approx. 25 pct. of all senior positions on board Danish ships. In addition, we have a good infrastructure with European standards, both in public and private sector, as well as frequent connections to and from the Faroe Islands. "